As the winners of our 2017 Club Growth Challenge, we reached out to the Nipmuc Water Ski Club to learn about the successes of their team in 2017!

What’s the story behind your club? How did it get it’s beginning?The club was formed in 1954 on Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg in Webster, Massachusetts and within its first year ran two ski shows on the lake that helped raise funds ($132) for the club's first ski jump. The club quickly grew from a membership of 32 in 1954 to well over 100 members by the end of the 1950's while continuing to perform shows and three-event tournaments as well as ski shows in Webster and the surrounding towns in south-central Massachusetts.

In 1960, the club hosted the first Eastern Regional Tournament at Memorial Beach in Webster, with club members Dave Lapierre and Ursie Bonczek winning Mixed Doubles and further representing the club in the 1960 Nationals in Minnesota.

The club continued to perform shows and tournaments throughout the 1960's benefiting many charities and local organizations, culminating in the hosting the 1962 Eastern Regionals and the 1964 National Water Ski Championships on Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg.

The club continued to grow and host tournaments and ski shows throughout our 64 year history, and has always held true to our family-friendly roots. Our club continues to regularly send representatives to the AWSA Eastern Regionals, AWSA National Championships, and also to the Eastern Regional Show Ski Championships.

Today the club continues to operate as a family friendly club with members of all ages, ski levels and interests.

​What type of events does your club participate in? We participate in all levels of skiing – including show skiing, three event, wake-boarding, knee boarding, and hydrofoil. We have all ski levels and age groups, our youngest skier being four years old and our oldest at 76 (and an original 1954 club member!).

What are some of the biggest accomplishments of your club this past year?This past year we had a dozen members safety certified and we also certified 11 tow boat and pick up boat drivers. Club member David Kokernak came in first place (Overall score) in the Men’s Division 4 Eastern Regionals and member Reanna Kudzal finishing in third place for Swivel Ski 180 Competition at the Eastern Regional Show Ski Tournament. Our great year culminated with an acclaimed ski show to close out our 2017 ski season.

How have you managed to bring in so many new members?Over the past two years we've crafted our club bylaws to dispose of the membership caps listed in our previous years bylaws which in-turn has enabled us to raise operating capital. Our ski club is now able to operate 4 days of the week with the commitment from our boat drivers and shore help. Our club has also been more involved in outreach to the community and has organized numerous “Learn-To-Ski” days which are "HUGE" for the continued growth and future development of our club. For the public our learn to ski program has yielded over 50 first-time skiers getting up and hitting the water in 2017. The return of our annual ski shows have also increased the interest and prominence of the club in the surrounding area.

What does #lifeonthewater mean to your organization?Summer, Fun, Family and Friends. With long winters here in New England, we try to maximize every second that we can get on the water to ski.

Any other exciting information to share?Our club is continuing to grow and perform with more outreach to the community. We are working with our surrounding towns, businesses and non-profit organizations to promote skiing and safe boating within our community.

We are also very proud to have many of many of our members growing up with the club throughout the years and now have their own children and grandchildren participating with them in club activities.